Chadrababu govt turns AP into a Drug State: Lakshman Rao

Tadepalli, Oct 15: YSRCP spokesperson Regidi Lakshman Rao said the coalition had turned Andhra Pradesh into a ganja and drugs hub, betraying its promise to eliminate narcotics within 100 days. Speaking at the party’s central office, he demanded answers from Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh and Home Minister Anitha.
Nearly two and a half years later, trafficking continued from Vijayawada to the Visakhapatnam agency region. He cited a woman caught with 110 grams of MDMA in Vijayawada, the seizure of 43 litres of hash oil worth ₹5.5 crore in Anakapalli, and ganja found in a police vehicle in Prakasam. Such failures appeared to encourage trafficking, he said.
Questioning EAGLE’s performance, Rao demanded measurable results from Operation Garuda, Operation Chaitanyam and Vajra Prahar. He sought progress on 712 fugitives and 125 pending non-bailable cases mentioned in the February 2026 interstate coordination meeting. Seizure statistics alone were insufficient; principal trafficking networks must be dismantled and those responsible prosecuted.
Under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Operation Parivartana destroyed ganja cultivation across 11,550 acres, arrested 13,210 people and seized 2,950 vehicles. Tribal communities received support for alternative livelihoods, addressing the economic conditions behind cultivation. SEB also provided the toll-free number 14500.
Lakshman questioned the meaning of Naidu’s “Swarna Andhra Pradesh by 2047” promise when drugs endangered young people. He demanded comprehensive disclosure of enforcement outcomes, interstate-network investigations and action against ganja, MDMA, hash oil and liquid ganja. Protecting youth, ensuring women’s safety and safeguarding citizens required action beyond publicity. The government must demonstrate its promises through results.